The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has insisted that the acquittal of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by a United Kingdom court does not end corruption investigations or asset-recovery proceedings against her in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA said the June 17 verdict of the Southwark Crown Court jury should be respected but noted that it only covered specific bribery charges under UK law.
“The UK judgment should be respected for what it is: a decision on the specific criminal charges for crimes committed under the UK laws that were before the court. It should neither be misrepresented as proof of guilt nor as a blanket determination of every allegation, investigation or asset-recovery proceeding connected to the former minister,” Suraju stated.
HEDA emphasized that Nigeria must continue to pursue viable cases against Alison-Madueke based on credible evidence and due process.
It recalled its documentation of the case in its Compendium of 100 High-Profile Corruption Cases, highlighting efforts to bring her before a Nigerian court and ongoing forfeiture proceedings involving properties linked to her.
The group stressed that criminal prosecution and asset recovery are separate legal processes, meaning the failure of a criminal case abroad does not automatically affect asset forfeiture in Nigeria.
HEDA urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other agencies to strengthen investigative capacity, evidence-gathering, and transparency in managing recovered assets.
It warned against relying on foreign courts to determine justice for Nigerians accused of corruption.
“The ultimate test is not whether justice can be obtained in London or any other foreign jurisdiction. The test is whether Nigeria has institutions capable of investigating credible allegations, prosecuting cases based on evidence, recovering the proceeds of corruption and ensuring that those resources are returned transparently to the Nigerian people,” Suraju added.
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